Ten-man Stanley frustrate United ...
Ten-man Accrington frustrated United on a day when the Blues saw plenty of the ball without managing to deal the killer blow which would have brought them the win they so desired in front of a huge Cumbrian following.Accrington mounted the first attack of the day when they picked up possession in the Carlisle half, but Raynes was twice on hand to clear deliveries into the box.
A long throw into the area brought home bodies forward and a free kick delivery from wide followed as Raynes and Kee tussled. The cross went deep and Gillesphey helped it on its way. Pearson reacted quickly for the throw and he let fly with a firm shot that had to be blocked by Liddle.
United's first chance fell to Joe McKee when he latched on to a half clearance from a Kennedy nod down. His effort had power but it was straight at Rodak.
The home side were recuced to ten men with just eleven minutes on the clock when Pearson lunged into a challenge with Gillesphey. The referee deemed it to be reckless and had no hesitation in showing the red card.
United picked up the pace and a cross from Adams was almost put away by Shaun Miller as he arrived late. The ball skimmed off his head and Beckles got in the way to protect the target.
Accrington went close at the other end when Hughes headed over from a McConville free kick, but the Cumbrians took the lead when Gillesphey swung a low ball into the box. Kennedy got there with the first header and he was on hand to stab the ball away, with a helping hand from Beckles, as it bounced back off Rodak.
The hosts were back on terms almost immediately when McCartan took charge of a 30-yard free kick. He connected well and left Gillespie with no chance as he found the back of the net via the underside of the bar.
A good exchange of passes between Adams and Gillesphey opened things up on the half hour and a lovely reverse pass left the midfielder with a shooting opportunity. He tried his luck but he couldn't keep it down.
United should have regained the lead moments later when Wyke spread it wide for Adams. His clipped delivery put it on a plate for the big striker but he went for a guided header which dropped high over the target.
McKee drilled a long range effort wide when Adams rolled a free kick into his path just before the break, and an excellent opportunity was spurned deep into time added on for the half when Adams sent a set piece deep. Tom Miller stretched to get to it but he couldn't control his header and the moment was gone.
Luke Joyce tried his luck from distance just after the restart, but Rodak pulled it comfortably into his chest, and Kennedy also tested the keeper when he directed a Tom Miller throw at the bottom corner.
Billy Kee fizzed a firm shot at the top corner from a tight angle as Accrington tried to hit back on the break, but Carlisle wasted yet another chance when Adams worked a short corner routine with McKee. The shot was on until Adams slipped and he couldn't keep it on target.
Accrington sat deep to defend their final third for most of the second half but they were almost undone when Adams jinked past his marker out on the left. His cross was met by Wyke but it was just too high and he could only flick it on.
Shaun Miller recovered the loose ball and his low cross brought a superb reaction save from Rodak as he dropped low to palm Kennedy’s flick round the post. The corner from Adams found Ibehre but his thumping header crept past the angle of post and bar.
Stanley attacked again on the break midway through the half and Rodgers produced a real scare with a header from a Hughes cross which had Gillespie beaten. It dropped out of the sky and landed on the roof of his net.
Gillespie then had to fist a stinging drive from Kee back into the mix as Stanley enjoyed a better spell and a flowing United move was brought to a close by an offside flag when Devitt strayed just too far forward.
Wyke flicked another Adams delivery over the bar as Carlisle camped forward in the closing stages, and Stanley closed ranks to deal with wave after wave of attack as United came up against a wall of determined defending.
Gillespie was needed to save from a Rodgers volley deep into time added on, and that led to a run of corners which the blue shirts had to deal with as the home side peppered the box.
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Goals
Accrington Stanley - McCartan (22)
Carlisle United - Beckles (og 20)
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Bookings
Accrington Stanley - Kee (56), McConville (62)
Sent off - Pearson (11 - straight red for a dangerous challenge)
Carlisle United - Liddle (18), Raynes (30)
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Teams
Accrington Stanley - Rodak, Pearson, Hughes, Davies (Donacien 59), Beckles, McCartan (Clare 80), McConville, Boco, Conneely, Kee, Rodgers. Subs - Chapman, Clark, Gornell, Hewitt, Edwards.
Carlisle United - Gillespie, Liddle, Raynes, Gillesphey, T Miller (Devitt 63), Kennedy, Joyce, McKee (Ibehre 63), Adams, S Miller, Wyke. Subs - Crocombe, Ellis, Brisley, Salkeld, McQueen.
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Referee - Mr Chris Sarginson
Attendance - 2,634 (1,269 away fans)
